Dragic went 45th overall to the San Antonio Spurs in that draft (it's worth noting that Dell Demps was an executive with the Spurs when the franchise selected Dragic).

If we could redo the 2008 draft, Dragic would go much higher – probably in the lottery.

But international players are men of mystery. Selecting a player from overseas is always a gamble.

That said, I think the Pelicans should select two European players in the upcoming NBA draft.

The team I'd like to see Dell put on the floor next season:

Austin RiversSergey KarasevDario SaricAnthony DavisAl Jefferson

How does Dell Demps acquire these players?

Dario Saric: The Pelicans use their lottery pick (projected to be 5th overall) on the Croatian small forward. Saric is flying up draft boards so picking him in the top 10 is not out of the question. I've watched so much video of Saric and listened to so many of his interviews I feel like I speak Croatian. A 6 foot 10 inch point forward who plays with swagger and compares his skillset to Magic Johnson is a player I think would fit in perfectly with Austin Rivers. Saric has a manageable $1.8 million buyout in his European contract and says if he gets drafted by the right team giving him the right opportunity, he'll come over to the NBA immediately.

Sergey Karasev: Karasev is a sharp-shooting Russian shooting guard who seems polished beyond his 19 years. The son of a coach, Sergey has been doing quite well in Russia's top professional league. The lefty was a member of the Russian Olympic team as an 18-year-old and is another international player flying up draft boards.

I'd offer Greivis Vasquez to the Thunder for OKC's two picks in the 1st round of the 2013 draft (projected to be No. 12 and No. 29).

Vasquez helps a Thunder team built to win now. He becomes a less expensive version of Kevin Martin and serves as a solid backup at three positions (PG, SG and SF).

I hate to see Vasquez leave New Orleans but he's more suited for a backup role on a good team and if Demps can land two 1st round picks for the passionate 26-year-old it's a good deal.

Al Jefferson: While it seems like Al Jefferson has been around forever, he's still just 28 and his stats are always tremendous – but his teams have never had tremendous success.

Jefferson has been to the playoffs only twice in his career.

But after talking with people in Salt Lake City I think the best is yet to come for Jefferson.

I read an article that lays out a great comparison of Al Jefferson. Zack Randolph. Always a stat-stuffer, "Z-Bo" is now a big winner in Memphis. Randolph just needed to find the right situation.

Utah is going with young big men Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors so the Jazz are not expected to re-sign Jefferson or Paul Millsap.

Like the Pelicans, the Jazz have money to burn in free agency; also like New Orleans, Utah will have a tough time luring a top-flight free agent to its organization.

So do the Pelicans and the Jazz overpay second-tier free agent players?

Or, what might make better sense: NOLA and Utah working together.

I'd like to see a sign-and-trade involving Eric Gordon for Al Jefferson. Jefferson gets his last big contract, is still young enough to be the "young veteran" Dell and head coach Monty Williams talk about needing and as a bonus, Jefferson is coming home (Jefferson is from Prentiss, Miss., just south of Jackson).

Gordon goes to a young team with up-and-coming bigs (Kanter and Favors) and a solid wing player in Gordon Hayward.

If the Pelicans acquired Al Jefferson they could trade Robin Lopez. Lopez for J.J Barea makes sense. Barea falls into the "young veteran" category and would be nice insurance if Austin Rivers can't handle the point.

Other value-veterans like Earl Clark, Alan Anderson and even Chase Budinger could be added to help a bench led by Ryan Anderson, Jason Smith, J.J. Barea, Darius Miller and the 29th pick the Pelicans acquired in my Vasquez trade (Shane Larkin?).

Even with all these moves the Pelicans will still have significant money to spend in free agency, but just because they have it, doesn't mean they have to spend it – especially if it means making a bad investment.

Truth be told, most small-market NBA teams are built through the draft and by making smart trades – not via blockbuster free-agent deals.

As much as I'd like to believe the Pelicans can land a game-changing free agent like Chris Paul, it's just not going to happen, and overpaying a guy like Andre Iguodala just doesn't seem to make sense.

So let's take a minute and realize that my "Austin Powers" Pelicans may not be that bad. Embrace the international men of mystery!